A Northern District judge has approved a billing rate of $855 per hour in a fee application matter involving the prominent bankruptcy practice of Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones. Although Bankruptcy Judge Margaret Cangilos-Ruiz of Syracuse (See Profile) found the amount of time the firm committed to the Chapter 7 case “disproportionate to the services rendered” and disapproved part of the fee request, she approved the $855 hourly rate charged by founding partner James Stang in In re Lewis, 10-30305.
Pachulski Stang became involved in the case after it was reopened nine years after discharge to add a previously unlisted asset. Ultimately, $100,000 was realized for the estate, the creditors were paid in full with interest and the debtor received a surplus funds rebate of $44,736. Pachulski Stang sought about $26,000 in fees and expenses in an uncontested motion.
